There’s a new youth leadership program in Plant City.
The City of Plant City Youth Leadership Commission is a program spearheaded by Commissioner Jason Jones designed to encourage high school students to foster personal development and servant leadership. The program aims to provide a platform for young individuals to enhance their leadership skills and gain valuable insights into the workings of local government. It’s open to sophomore, junior, and senior high school students from all educational backgrounds, including those attending public, private, and home-based schools.
Through the monthly educational programs hosted by local community leaders, members of the Plant City Youth LeadershipCommission will have the chance to expand their knowledge about various aspects of local government. They will learn about the roles and responsibilities of different city departments, City Clerk, City Attorney, City Manager, Mayor, City Commissioners and community services. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of the decision-making processes involved in policy development and implementation.
Jones, who modeled the program after similar programs in other municipalities, realized Plant City’s youth would benefit from this program after recollecting his own experience attending a local government meeting as a youth, which he’s never forgotten, and also bringing his children to commission meetings. “When the meetings were over they’d ask me so many questions about what they saw and heard, what the city manager does, what the motions mean,” he said.
He realized a youth leadership commission would be a way to expose more youth to commission meetings and educate them about their local government and its many committees composed of volunteer citizens. “The student-led program will help students grow to become future leaders here in Plant City,” he said.
Several local leaders have joined the program board, including former high school principal Marsha Passmore, educator Carmel Keel and local banker Wesley Joyner.
Upon completion of the program, participants will gain an understanding of how local government and leadership principles, possess enhanced communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills and a sense of civic responsibility.
Applicants must be a resident of the City of Plant City or have a Plant City residential mailing address and be able to attend the mandatory orientation on September 21 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. They must also be able to commit to one year of service on the commission, attending the Monday, September 25 city commission meeting, attend monthly meeting the fourth Thursday of every month from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., attend at least two city commission meetings each term, attend at least one citywide function or event, serve as an ambassador for the City of Plant City and volunteer a minimum 10 hours at any city-sponsored event.
The deadline to submit an application is Friday, September 8.
Each Plant City commissioner will select two members and the mayor will select three members out of eligible applicants. The 11 students selected to be on the Plant City Youth Commission will be notified by September 15.
“We already have a student in the community interested in participating and we haven’t even pushed it out there yet,” said Jones.
More information about the Plant City Youth Commission and its application can soon be found at plantcitygov.com and on the city’s social media channels.